Summary: Council meeting 27 July 2022

Economic development update

The first quarterly economic development update was presented that outlined a number of general economic indicators for the region, and the activities being undertaken to support economic development across the MidCoast.

The report showed that a total of $9.4 million was spent on one day during April, with a total of $324 million spent by locals in the local area during the months of April and May. During April and May more than $10,000 was loaded onto Shop MidCoast cards and $15,000 redeemed on the cards.

A number of programs have been delivered that support the vibrancy of town centres during the past three months, including the Wingham Busker Muster, waterfront businesses in Little Street Forster getting involved in the vibrant spaces program and supplying seating and shade in different locations and the Manning Street Taree beautification project.

A number of business events have been held and $50,000 contributed towards community events held during April – June.

A ComeVisit! Program was launched in June to encourage residents to invite their friends and family to visit, as a way of supporting the economy outside original tourist periods.

Over the past six months a total of $177 million worth of development applications have been approved by Council, with $279 million approved for the 2021-22 year. Over the past six months the development assessment team has approved 771 applications,135 of which were dealt with as fast-track approvals in an average of 11 days.

During the same period the team received 745 building and development related telephone calls and received 698 customer requests. 

Approval was provided at the meeting to establish a post office within the former Pacific Palms Visitor Information Centre at 217 Boomerang Drive, Blueys Beach. Council is the owner of the land and building.

The application attracted 65 submissions during the public exhibition period, 57 of which were in support of the proposal.

The development application included a change of use, from an information facility to a post office, and also outlined works including installation of post office boxes and refurbishment.

The post office will provide services such as banking and postal services that require an alternate location after their existing premises was sold, and removal of the service would mean the community would have to travel to larger centres of Forster or Bulahdelah.

The meeting endorsed a community engagement approach to the review of the Community Engagement Strategy to ensure it is reflective of our community’s communication and engagement preferences.

Our current Community Engagement Strategy, including Community Participation Plan and Communication Strategy require review.

The intent is to bring all elements together to provide a single commitment to the community on how we will engage and communicate across a range of areas.

A range of activities and promotions will be starting today to encourage the community to have their say.

Council will once again employ Surf Life Saving Services to provide professional lifeguard services for nine beaches across the local government area from August this year through to June 2027.

The beaches to be patrolled by Surf Life Saving on behalf of Council are: Bennetts, Blackhead, Boomerang, Crowdy, Diamond, Elizabeth, Forster Main, Old Bar and Forster One Mile.

• Lakes Way/Blackhead Road roundabout – work is continuing with the construction of roundabout and turning lanes, project due to be finished September 2022
• Northern Gateway – the concrete roundabout construction has been completed and work is underway on the industrial access road, to be completed in February 2023.
• Muldoon Street, Taree – work due to start in July
• Cowper Street, Taree – Drainage and pavement works are continuing with traffic now open both ways from Jack Neal Oval to Gipps Street and one lane for the rest of the construction area. Expected to be completed by September.
• Likely Street, Forster – reconstruction of 500 metres of pavement, expected to be completed in late August.
• Waitui Road, Hannam Vale – reconstruction of approximately three kilometres of road, to be completed by October 2022.
• Work is underway on five sections of The Bucketts Way, and four sections of the Lakes Way.
• Wingham Road – work underway on several sections of Wingham Road, work at the the intersection with Youngs Road has been delayed due to utility service issues. Preliminary work on three roundabouts at intersections with Hargreaves and Cedar Party Road is underway, with construction expected to be complete by May 2023.
• Old Bar Road – Redbank Cemetery to Metz Road, reconstruction and widening of 1.7 kilometres of road. Expected to be complete late October.
• Work is due to be completed on bridges at Caparra, Booral and Curricabbark Road over the coming months.
• Work is underway on a large number of projects to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure across the local government area